The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1887-01-19
HOW WASHINGTON ENTERTAINED.


LecturInE His steward ON the Evils OF
ExtraVagance-The First Stad.
Gen. Washington entertained very
freely before he became president, and
the milk of 100 cows was not enough to
supply the butter used at his Mount Yer
non home. He was more economical In
the management of his presidential table,
and George Washington Parke Gusts re-
lates how severely lie lectured his steward
on the evils of extravaganza In looking
over his expense accounts, which he made
him present to him weekly. The steward
was a man by the name of Frannces, who
loved Washington greatly, and who had
a high idea of the state he should MAIN
tain. AT the end of each weekly lecture
he would go off crying and promising
amendment, but at the same time he
would mutter: "Well, he may discharge
me If he viii, but while he is the presi-
dent aud ! am his steward his establish
ment shall be supplied with the best the
whole country can afford. -
President Washington was great lover
of fish. he always ate Goldfish ON Satur-
day while he was the executive, to COM
pliment New England, whose fishing in
dustry at that time played much more
important part in its economy than it
does now. Certain New England ladies,
of Philadelphia, who had special way
of cooking Goldfish, were accustomed to
send him enough for his table on this day
of every week. They would wrap it up
In cloths as soon as it was taken from the
fire and hurry it off to the presidents
house, SO that it arrived as hot as though
from his own kitchen.
One February large shad was caught
in the Delaware in advance of the season
and was brought to the market. Fraunces
saw it, and, regardless of cost, at once
seized upon it for the presidents table.
When it was brought into the dining
room Washington, noting its savory odor,
asked:
What fish is that?''
ga shadi' replied Fraunces, excitedly,
ga very fine shadl knew your excel
lency was eXtravagantly fond of this fish
and was so fortunate as to procure this
one in the nlarket-a solitary one, sir,
and the first of the season"
1.-The price, sir? The price? The
price, sirY'' demanded Washington,
sternly.
"Threc-three-three dollars" stam-
mered the steward.
Take it awayi Take it away, sirl''
said Washington. 1T shall never be
said that my table sets such an example
of luxury and Extravaganza
And so the SO fish was taken from the
room, to be devoured by the servants.
President Washington's cook was a
character of the time. He was q handy
legged negro, named Hercules, who made
5000 year out of his perquisites of the
Stops of tic presidents kitchen. Every
afternoon he would strut forth from the
front door, =" says Mr.. Gusts, dressed as
extravagantly as any dandy of tile time,
and would take a promenade on the fash
ionable thoroughfare of colonial Phila-
delpllia. He wore a blue coat with
velvet collar, pair of fancy knee breeches
and shoes with cStravagant silver buckles.
Thus attiretl, with cooked hat upon his
heal and a gold headed cane III his hand,
he struttetl up and down among the beaux
anu oeips ultit 'i-- -..-.i-<> of the clock re-
minded linn that he must hurry OIL to the
kitchen and prepare the evening meal. d"
President Westinghouse dinners We're
rather stiff affairs. But little extra prep
aration was made for transient guests
An English traveller. who hreslkfasteCl with
Washington in 1894, during the latter
part of his second presidential term, says
the breakfast consisted of sliced tongue.
tea and coffee, dry toast antt bread and
butter. The only expensive piece OF fur
niture upon the table WIS a silver urn for
hot water. There was hut one servant,
and Mrs. Washington made tho tea and
coffee herself. Throughout his life
Washington ate but light breakfasts, AMI
in his old age this meal was nude of In
dian cakes, honey and tea. He always
dressed for dinner, and dined about 8.
He ate heartily, but was very careful of
his diet. He always had wine at dinner,
and drank at dessert four or five glasses
of Madeira. His only toast was, "Ail
our Friends Tie ate light tea, but
no supper, and was usually in bed by 10
o'clock.--Frank G. Carpenter IN I.lppin-
colts Magazine.